befriedigend

Befriedigend is a German adjective meaning satisfactory or acceptable. It is used to describe results, performances, or assessments that meet the requirements but are not outstanding. In educational and evaluative contexts, befriedigend often represents a middle grade, indicating that the work is adequate but leaves room for improvement.

In many German-speaking education systems, befriedigend sits between gut (good) and ausreichend or mangelhaft depending on the exact scale used. While the numeric representation varies by institution, befriedigend generally corresponds to an average level of performance—neither excellent nor failing—and signals that minimum standards have been met.

The word is formed from the verb befriedigen, meaning to satisfy. As an evaluative term, befriedigend can be used predicatively or attributively: Das Ergebnis ist befriedigend. Eine befriedigende Lösung; eine befriedigende Leistung. Beyond formal grading, befriedigend appears in everyday language to describe solutions, outcomes, or services that are acceptable, though not exemplary.

Usage notes: befriedigend carries a neutral to mildly positive connotation, implying adequacy with potential for improvement. It is commonly contrasted with gut or sehr gut on the higher end of the scale and with ausreichend or mangelhaft on the lower end, depending on the regional grading scheme.

See also: Sehr gut, Gut, Ausreichend, Mangelhaft, Ungenügend; German grading systems.